Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 4 Nov 1998

Vol. 496 No. 1

Written Answers. - Herring Industry.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

96 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the progress, if any, made in implementing the recommendations of the task force on the herring industry; the reason for the delay in implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21867/98]

Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources (Dr. Woods)

There has been no delay in progressing implementation of the recommendations of the herring task force. Officials of my Department, together with the Marine Institute, BIM and the industry have been working closely since receipt of the report on a comprehensive implementation programme.

The quality training programmes for the dry-hold herring fleet and for the herring processing sector will get under way shortly. I encourage the industry to progress the industry led herring industry marketing group which is to develop and co-ordinate industry strategies to maximise returns to the herring sector and to act as a forum for dialogue and concerted action. The group will meet shortly. The task force's recommendation on the recruitment of a pelagic market co-ordinator to facilitate the focused development of market co-ordination and co-operative strategies for the herring industry is being progressed in the context of the marketing group.

At the March Fisheries Council I was successful in reducing the quantity of herring which could be imported tariff free this year to the Community, as strongly recommended by the task force. I also made it clear at last month's Council that I would oppose strongly any new proposals to increase that tariff free quantity and will continue to press for it to be abolished altogether.

A key recommendation of the report of the herring task force was that market research and fishing trials should be undertaken to identify new fisheries and optimum fishing times and opportunities for herring in terms of roe, matje, and fillet markets. BIM's report on the trials and research undertaken this year will be available shortly.

I have also provided grant aid towards feasibility R & D trials into alternative loading and unloading systems and technical gear innovations. The task force underlined the importance of loading and unloading systems and gear in the maintenance and improvement of product quality and returns. This work is ongoing.

The task force recommended that industry participation in the management of the herring fisheries should be enhanced by the management advisory committee. This has also been implemented, in consultation with the industry, through the setting up this autumn of committees in the Celtic Sea and north west herring fisheries.

The task force recommended that the necessary strategies to deliver and resource herring assessment and survey programmes should be put in place. At my request the Marine Institute has extended its herring catch sampling programme and resumed acoustic surveys. I also asked the institute to develop a practical partnership approach with the industry including participation by fishermen in stock assessment programmes. This initiative is well under way.

The remaining recommendations made by the task force are also being actively progressed. These include the development of funded R & D programmes and the carrying out of studies into herring offal use, the investigation into the potential markets for herring milt, management and conservation initiatives for the north-west herring fishery, adjustments to the management regime in the Celtic Sea fishery, a review of market support regimes and funding for fish processing projects.

The implementation programme is comprehensive, prioritised and soundly based in terms of funding and timescales. Progress has been made, or work completed, on all recommendations. The Department and the State agencies will continue to work with the industry on all these fronts in addition to monitoring very closely EU and global trends in herring supply and demand which remains worrying.